Scope and Contents
The collection of prints provides a varied survey of modern printmaking in Holland during three decades. While some artists are represented with one work only, others are present with a small group of works. Artists that were especially favoured by the collector are Dick Cassée, Paul Damsté, Ko Oosterkerk, Ton van Os and Guillaume Le Roy. Besides individual prints, some portfolios are included in the donation, like those by Jan Cremer, Lucebert and Eduardo Paolozzi. The donation also includes a group of works, originating from the Prent 190 Publishers. The box of drawings that Cleveringa donated in 2005 was given to him on the occasion of the closure of his exhibition centre 'De Kijkschuur' and contains works by artists that exhibited there in the course of time.
Dates
- Creation: 1965-1995
Creator
- Cleveringa, Piet (Person)
Conditions Governing Use
Regulations that apply during the use of these materials can be found on the website of Leiden University Library.
Biographical / Historical
Born in 1917, Piet Cleveringa studied law at Leiden University and pursued a career with the government. All his working life he was employed by the 'Ministerie van Justitie' (Ministry of Justice) as Director of the Police. His interest in art was raised when he was asked in 1958 to become chairman of the artist society ' Haagse Kunstkring' in The Hague. Shortly after this, he began to collect art. In the years 1978-1988, after his retirement, he started organising exhibitions at his own exhibition centre 'De Kijkschuur' in Acquoy, a small village in the Dutch countryside. Many of the artists represented in his collection exhibited there. In recent years he donated the majority of his collection to the state, to museums and to Leiden University. Cleveringa died in 2013.
Extent
206 prints and a box with drawings
Language of Materials
Undetermined
Abstract in Dutch
Verzameling moderne grafiek en een kleine groep tekeningen van vooral Nederlandse kunstenaars, bijeengebracht door Mr. Piet Cleveringa (1917-2013).
Abstract in English
Collection of modern graphic art and a small group of drawings, primarily by Dutch artists, gathered by Mr. Piet Cleveringa (1917-2013).
Physical Location
Leiden University Library, Special Collections
Other Finding Aids
All works have been recorded in the Digitool database. A catalogue, including an inventory, of the collection was published by Schaeps [et. al.] (2004).
Custodial History
The collection of Mr. Piet Cleveringa consisted of paintings, sculptures, prints and drawings. These he purchased from art galleries, from graphic publishing houses or from the artists themselves. Some of the works in his collection were received as gifts from artists while working closely together on exhibitions.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The collection of graphic art was donated to the university during the period 2000-2004. In 2005 Mr. Piet Cleveringa added a box with drawings by contemporary artists to his earlier donations.
Accruals
No future additions are to be expected.
Separated Materials
At the same time that Cleveringa donated his collection of prints to the Leiden Print Room, he also donated his archival papers concerning his involvement with the student's theatrical performances to the University History Museum and his collection of books on art to the library of the Institute of Art History. Earlier Cleveringa had donated his collection of paintings and sculptures to the Dutch state, to be distributed among Dutch Museums. Smaller ensembles were donated to several museums directly, notably Museum Kröller-Müller in Otterlo (Holland).
Bibliography
- Ottevanger, Alied [et. al.]., Op het eerste gezicht: de collectie Cleveringa. Den Haag 1988.
- Schaeps, Jef & Piet Raven, Gabriel Rolt, Marijke van Wees, Met passie verzameld. Grafiek uit de collectie Cleveringa. Leiden 2004.
General
The material of this collection can be requested at the Special Collections Reading Room.
Processing Information
The prints and drawings have been integrated into the general collections of drawings and prints. In 2004 a large part of the donation was exhibited at the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague.
Subject
- Cleveringa, Piet (Person)
Topical
- Title
- Collection guide of the Piet Cleveringa collection (1965-1995)
- Subtitle
- Collectie Piet Cleveringa
- Author
- Jef Schaeps, 2006
- Date
- 2006
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- This finding aid has been written in English.
Revision Statements
- 18 February 2014: latest update
Repository Details
Part of the Leiden University Libraries Archives & Collections Repository
Witte Singel 27
Leiden 2311 BG Netherlands
+31 71 527 2857
specialcollections@library.leidenuniv.nl